How Booking.com is evolving to meet Hong Kong’s travel needs in 2024

Hong Kongers are embracing change this year when it comes to their travel habits. Although destinations such as Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom are still popular, there are some new places trending for Hong Kongers to travel to in 2024. But it's not just about the where – the why is changing, too. Personal growth has become more of a reason to travel for people in the city. So, to cater to these evolving traveler needs, Booking.com is rolling out some new features to make booking vacations a breeze. Read on for Booking.com’s travel predictions for Hong Kong and how the company is adapting to these changing trends. 

Hong Kongers are changing their traveling trends and habits in 2024

According to Booking.com’s data, the top spots Hong Kongers are itching to visit this year are Japan, the UK, destinations within Hong Kong itself, South Korea and Taiwan. But it’s not just about the Asia-Pacific region this year. Searches for travel to New York are up 34% compared to last year, and searches for Madrid have skyrocketed by 179%. 

Hong Kongers aren't just trying to get away from city life; they’ve got a different reason to travel – spontaneous adventure. Interestingly, 52% of Hong Kongers have even shown interest in booking trips where the destination is a mystery until they get there. And more than half are interested in exploring off-the-beaten-path and immersing themselves in local cultures. Another unexpected finding is that 47% of Hong Kongers are down to travel with strangers. They’re looking to set out on memorable, one-of-a-kind adventures, no matter who they're with. 

Travel is no longer just about seeing the usual sights; it’s about the journey of self-discovery and transformation. For traveling Hong Kongers, 78% are looking to find their best selves when they hit the road. They're not just aiming to check items off a bucket list; they want to dive deep and make real, meaningful connections.

“By observing the shift of Hong Kong traveler’s behavior and preference, we will continue to enhance advanced technology and expand the network of partners, which allow us to cater to the evolving needs and desires of our customers,” said Kyle Fu, the area manager of the North Asia-Pacific Region of Booking.com. 

What’s technology’s role in this?

Technology is improving our lifestyles more than ever, and that includes how we plan our travel. Mobile app bookings accounted for 53% of total bookings in the last quarter of 2023 for the company. Throughout the last year, Booking.com has retained its spot as the most downloaded travel app worldwide.

Now Booking.com has launched a new AI Trip Planner to help travelers find exactly what they're looking for using artificial intelligence. Just chat with the planner and get personalized trip recommendations based on your preferences. Your personal AI Trip Planner will take all of your goals and requirements into account to create tailored itineraries for you in real-time.

What is “Connected Trip”?

There's also a "Connected Trip" feature that gives you all the travel info you need in one place – flights, transport, accommodations and even personalized sightseeing recommendations. On top of that, travelers can easily book attraction tickets and workshops through Booking.com. It's super handy to stay on top of the latest trends and options.

The numbers are looking good, too – airline bookings jumped 46% in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the year before. And alternative accommodation bookings like vacation rentals saw a 24% surge in 2023. So far, it's clear that travelers are embracing new ways to explore, and Booking.com is here to help them organize, plan and get the most out of their trips.